Gene's author/illustrated book Neo Leo: The Ageless Ideas of Leonardo da Vinci:

"Barretta's colorful and comical artwork keeps the scientific subject matter fun...A fine choice to introduce the famous man, his peerless ideas, and the forward thinking role of inventors in general."

Booklist

"Energetic, engaging, and eclectic, just like its subject...The pictures also offersly humor...and hint at the level of sophistication required from readers. The text likewise challenges the notion that all picture books are for primary grades with a high-level vocabulary and the inclusion of explanatory notes written backwards, just as Leonardo wrote himself."

Kirkus

Jack the Tripper, written and illustrated by Gene:

"Blue-toned watercolor images depict the dastardly doings of the Tripper, set against the full-color goings-on at school, varied perspectives and dramatic visual jokes lending fizz to both. Wall-to-wall drollery, both in Barretta's illustrations and his text, which is sophisticated as well as acessible. Wodehose with a dash of Gorey."

Kirkus

"The watercolor illustrations feature hilarious expressions, unique perspectives, and distinctive use of color to separate each child's story from the background scene. Kids will enjoy finding visual clues to help them figure out what is going on."

School Library Journal

Now and Ben: The Modern Inventions of Benjamin Franklin, written and illustrated by Gene:

"The extraordinary sense of Franklin as a severely temporally displaced person gives Gene Barretta's Now and Ben: The Modern Inventions of Benjamin Franklin its power to surprise and delight...They [Franklin’s inventions] are more than enough to dazzle any young reader, and to leave her wanting to know more about this curious, compelling 300-year-old man."

The New York Times

"With its breezy format and succinct text, the book delivers facts in an assuredly kid-friendly style. The playful watercolor cartoons, often divided into panels, help to vary the pacing. A concluding futuristic spread envisions even further updated variations on Franklin's inventions."

Publisher's Weekly